The Rockford Files 1974
“This is Jim Rockford. At the tone leave your name and message, I'll get back to you.”
What is The Rockford Files?
The Rockford Files is an American detective drama television series that aired on the NBC network from September 13, 1974, to January 10, 1980. Created by Stephen J.
- Type
- TV series
- Year
- 1974
- Status
- Ended
- Episodes
- 122
- Runtime
- 60 minutes
- First aired
- Sep 13, 1974
- Last aired
- Jan 10, 1980
- Original language
- EN
- Origin
- US
- Networks
- NBC
- Genres
- Crime, Drama, Mystery
- Updated
Where to watch
Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.
How long to binge?
Estimate the schedule using 122 episodes and an average 60-minute runtime.
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Overview
The Rockford Files is an American detective drama television series that aired on the NBC network from September 13, 1974, to January 10, 1980. Created by Stephen J. Cannell and Roy Huggins, the show stars James Garner as Jim Rockford, a Los Angeles-based private investigator. The series consists of 123 episodes, a pilot, and eight television movies. As a character, Rockford is a cranky but likable private investigator who is an ex-convict, having been sent to prison for a crime he did not commit. In his work, he takes on cases that others do not want. He is supported by his father, Joseph Rocky Rockford, played by Noah Beery Jr., who is a retired truck driver. Other cast members include Joe Santos and Luis Delgado. Rockford is also assisted by his lawyer girlfriend and various shady associates from his past. The program has remained in syndication since its original broadcast run ended. The complete series has also been released on DVD and Blu-ray.
Should you watch it?
“A wrongfully convicted ex-con turned private investigator takes on challenging cases in Los Angeles.”
- engaging lead character
- dynamic supporting cast
- protagonist frequently sustains physical injury
Watch it if you enjoy classic private investigator dramas featuring a relatable, underdog protagonist.
The series features physical confrontations and themes involving criminal investigations.
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Episode guide
Spoiler-Safe Browsing Progress
Season 1 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 1 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Kirkoff Case Mytharc Sep 13, 1974
- E2 The Dark and Bloody Ground Core Sep 20, 1974
- E3 The Countess Core Sep 27, 1974
- E4 Exit Prentiss Carr Mytharc Oct 4, 1974
- E5 Tall Woman in Red Wagon Core Oct 11, 1974
- E6 This Case Is Closed Core Oct 18, 1974
- E7 The Big Ripoff Core Oct 25, 1974
- E8 Find Me If You Can Core Nov 1, 1974
- E9 In Pursuit of Carol Thorne Mytharc Nov 8, 1974
- E10 The Dexter Crisis Core Nov 15, 1974
- E11 Caledonia - It's Worth a Fortune! Core Dec 6, 1974
- E12 Profit and Loss (1) Mytharc Dec 20, 1974
- E13 Profit and Loss (2) Core Dec 27, 1974
- E14 Aura Lee, Farewell Mytharc Jan 3, 1975
- E15 Sleight of Hand Core Jan 17, 1975
- E16 Counter Gambit Core Jan 24, 1975
- E17 Claire Core Jan 31, 1975
- E18 Say Goodbye to Jennifer Core Feb 7, 1975
- E19 Charlie Harris at Large Core Feb 14, 1975
- E20 The Four Pound Brick Mytharc Feb 21, 1975
- E21 Just by Accident Mytharc Feb 28, 1975
- E22 Roundabout Mytharc Mar 7, 1975
Season 2 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 2 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Aaron Ironwood School of Success Mytharc Sep 12, 1975
- E2 The Farnsworth Stratagem Core Sep 19, 1975
- E3 Gearjammers (1) Core Sep 26, 1975
- E4 Gearjammers (2) Core Oct 3, 1975
- E5 The Deep Blue Sleep Core Oct 10, 1975
- E6 The Great Blue Lake Land and Development Company Core Oct 17, 1975
- E7 The Real Easy Red Dog Core Oct 31, 1975
- E8 Resurrection in Black & White Mytharc Nov 7, 1975
- E9 Chicken Little Is a Little Chicken Core Nov 14, 1975
- E10 2 Into 5.56 Won't Go Core Nov 21, 1975
- E11 Pastoria Prime Pick Core Nov 28, 1975
- E12 The Reincarnation of Angie Core Dec 5, 1975
- E13 The Girl in the Bay City Boys Club Core Dec 19, 1975
- E14 The Hammer of C Block Core Jan 9, 1976
- E15 The No-Cut Contract Core Jan 16, 1976
- E16 A Portrait of Elizabeth Core Jan 23, 1976
- E17 Joey Blue Eyes Core Jan 29, 1976
- E18 In Hazard Core Feb 5, 1976
- E19 The Italian Bird Fiasco Core Feb 12, 1976
- E20 Where's Houston? Core Feb 20, 1976
- E21 Foul on the First Play Mytharc Mar 12, 1976
- E22 A Bad Deal in the Valley Mytharc Mar 19, 1976
Season 3 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 3 guide & lore primer →- E1 The Fourth Man Mytharc Sep 24, 1976
- E2 The Oracle Wore a Cashmere Suit Core Oct 1, 1976
- E3 The Family Hour Core Oct 8, 1976
- E4 Feeding Frenzy Core Oct 15, 1976
- E5 Drought at Indianhead River Core Nov 5, 1976
- E6 Coulter City Wildcat Core Nov 12, 1976
- E7 So Help Me God Core Nov 19, 1976
- E8 Rattlers' Class of '63 Core Nov 26, 1976
- E9 Return to the 38th Parallel Core Dec 10, 1976
- E10 Piece Work Core Dec 17, 1976
- E11 The Trouble with Warren Core Dec 24, 1976
- E12 There's One in Every Port Core Jan 7, 1977
- E13 Sticks and Stones May Break Your Bones, But Waterbury Will Bury You Core Jan 14, 1977
- E14 The Trees, the Bees and T.T. Flowers: Part 1 Mytharc Jan 21, 1977
- E15 The Trees, the Bees and T.T. Flowers: Part 2 Mytharc Jan 28, 1977
- E16 The Becker Connection Core Feb 11, 1977
- E17 Just Another Polish Wedding Core Feb 18, 1977
- E18 New Life, Old Dragons Core Feb 25, 1977
- E19 To Protect and Serve: Part 1 Mytharc Mar 11, 1977
- E20 To Protect and Serve: Part 2 Mytharc Mar 18, 1977
- E21 Crack Back Mytharc Mar 25, 1977
- E22 Dirty Money, Black Light Mytharc Apr 1, 1977
Season 4 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 4 guide & lore primer →- E1 Beamer's Last Case Mytharc Sep 16, 1977
- E2 Trouble in Chapter 17 Core Sep 23, 1977
- E3 The Battle of Canoga Park Core Sep 30, 1977
- E4 Second Chance Core Oct 14, 1977
- E5 The Dog and Pony Show Core Oct 21, 1977
- E6 Requiem for a Funny Box Core Nov 4, 1977
- E7 Quickie Nirvana Core Nov 11, 1977
- E8 Irving the Explainer Core Nov 18, 1977
- E9 The Mayor's Committee from Deer Lick Falls Core Nov 25, 1977
- E10 Hotel of Fear Core Dec 2, 1977
- E11 Forced Retirement Core Dec 7, 1977
- E12 The Queen of Peru Core Dec 16, 1977
- E13 A Deadly Maze Core Dec 23, 1977
- E14 The Attractive Nuisance Core Jan 6, 1978
- E15 The Gang at Don's Drive-In Core Jan 13, 1978
- E16 The Paper Palace Core Jan 20, 1978
- E17 Dwarf in a Helium Hat Core Jan 27, 1978
- E18 South by Southeast Core Feb 3, 1978
- E19 The Competitive Edge Core Feb 10, 1978
- E20 The Prisoner of Rosemont Hall Core Feb 17, 1978
- E21 The House on Willis Avenue (1) Mytharc Feb 24, 1978
- E22 The House on Willis Avenue (2) Mytharc Feb 24, 1978
Season 5 · 22 episodes
Open the complete Season 5 guide & lore primer →- E1 Heartaches of a Fool Mytharc Sep 22, 1978
- E2 Rosendahl and Gilda Stern Are Dead Core Sep 29, 1978
- E3 The Jersey Bounce Core Oct 6, 1978
- E4 White on White and Nearly Perfect Core Oct 20, 1978
- E5 Kill the Messenger Mytharc Oct 27, 1978
- E6 The Empty Frame Core Nov 3, 1978
- E7 Three Day Affair with a Thirty Day Escrow Core Nov 10, 1978
- E8 A Good Clean Bust with Sequel Rights Core Nov 17, 1978
- E9 Black Mirror: Part 1 Mytharc Nov 24, 1978
- E10 Black Mirror: Part 2 Mytharc Nov 24, 1978
- E11 A Fast Count Core Dec 1, 1978
- E12 Local Man Eaten by Newspaper Core Dec 8, 1978
- E13 With the French Heel Back, Can the Nehru Jacket Be Far Behind? Core
- E14 The Battle-Ax and the Exploding Cigar Core Jan 12, 1979
- E15 Guilt Core Jan 19, 1979
- E16 The Deuce Core Jan 25, 1979
- E17 The Man Who Saw the Alligators Core Feb 10, 1979
- E18 The Return of the Black Shadow Core Feb 17, 1979
- E19 A Material Difference Core Feb 24, 1979
- E20 Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job: Part 1 Mytharc Mar 3, 1979
- E21 Never Send a Boy King to Do a Man's Job: Part 2 Mytharc Mar 3, 1979
- E22 A Different Drummer Mytharc Apr 13, 1979
Season 6 · 12 episodes
Open the complete Season 6 guide & lore primer →- E1 Paradise Cove Mytharc Sep 28, 1979
- E2 Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs (1) Core Oct 12, 1979
- E3 Lions, Tigers, Monkeys and Dogs (2) Core Oct 12, 1979
- E4 Only Rock 'n Roll Will Never Die (1) Core Oct 19, 1979
- E5 Only Rock 'n Roll Will Never Die (2) Core Oct 26, 1979
- E6 Love Is the Word Core Nov 19, 1979
- E7 Nice Guys Finish Dead Mytharc Nov 16, 1979
- E8 The Hawaiian Headache Core Nov 23, 1979
- E9 No Fault Affair Core Nov 30, 1979
- E10 The Big Cheese Core Dec 7, 1979
- E11 Just a Coupla Guys Mytharc Dec 14, 1979
- E12 Deadlock in Parma Mytharc Jan 10, 1980
Frequently asked questions
Who is the main character?
The series follows Jim Rockford, a private investigator and former convict.
Where does the show take place?
The series is set in Los Angeles.
What is Jim Rockford's background?
He is an ex-con who served time for a crime he did not commit.
Who assists Jim Rockford?
He is aided by his father, his lawyer girlfriend, and various associates from his past.
What kind of cases does he handle?
He takes on cases that other investigators typically avoid.
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